Firefighters use phones to locate blaze

♦ Firefighters are using their own mobile phones to find burning buildings because of unreliable satnavs, a union has claimed.

Lives are being “put at risk” because vital communication systems on board the vehicles are constantly failing, it has been alleged.

Crews from West Midlands Fire Service are said to be resorting to using their own mobiles at call-outs to communicate back to base and liaise with other emergency services.

Steve Price-hunt, secretary of the Fire Brigades Union for the West Midlands, said the union has “serious concerns” after firefighters have experience problems for around two years. He said: “I have been told that satellite navigation systems may have failed, as well as other concerns about communication systems. It’s vital firefighters in emergency services have good communications.”

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Gary Taylor said: “Mobile data and sat-nav technology on our fire engines and Brigade Response Vehicles is there to assist and complement the crews’ existing professional knowledge, not to replace it.

“All of our vehicles carry a detailed map book and, of course, radio links to our fire control.”